Rain outside

Rain outside this afternoon. I ordered some Medifast crunch bars as I have been off my diet for two weeks now. This morning I met with a new women's group and later on I will do a yoga class. I have been thinking about the importance of having supportive and nurturing relationships in my life. Some how I think the Holy Spirit comes through in positive relationship. Depth comes from relationship too and for now that is my quest. How to deepen my personality and have a more full life. Depth of personality is an experience and it is learned from other people with full lives. I am hoping to develop more relationships like that.

A Saturday

I woke up early this morning with the spring light steaming through my window. As it gets lighter out I get up earlier and am ready for bed earlier too. I went to a 12 step meeting, then downtown to the library for books on Christology and real estate investing. I came home to read and journal and made some molasses crinkles. At 5 I'm going to Church and then over to a friend's home for tea. It's been a good day so far.

Setting boundaries

I have a friend who loves to talk on the phone. She is a very intelligent and interesting person but 45 min every time I talk to her is too long. Yesterday I was going over and over how to set a boundary. When I got on the phone with her I did a check in, and then I asked her how her day went, and then I said I'd call her back tomorrow as I didn't feel like talking. She was fine with it, said good-bye and told me she loved me. Sometimes I make things more than they are and stew over then when just a little gentle honesty is what the situation needs.

Coffee in the morning

The cats woke me up early this morning. I got up rather than lie in bed and fixed myself a pot of coffee. As it becomes lighter outside I am sitting at my computer writing this. Sometimes this time is my best time. I feel quite and fresh and can plan my day. When I get off the computer I will read something spiritual for a while. With God's help I will have a great day.

Simplicity Energy

I get my energy from a variety of different energy sources. I talk to my daughter, then I cook a pasta, then I read something on investing online, then I talk to my sister on the phone, then I go to a 12 step meeting, then I go to Church. My day varies and when I get tired of doing something, or a little stale, I change my energy focus. This helps me stay focused and happy through out the day. Another thing I do is to be sure I spend time each day with people who love me. That is how I get enough love in me to be able to give love to others in my life.

A Simplicity Poem

I consent to go deeper
I will allow myself to be human
I will rest in silence
I will let go into simplicity
I will pray
To be transformed
To be of service to others

Today I am going to make a recipe with a cup of white beans that I left soaking overnight.

Wash and drain soaked beans. Add beans to stockpot and cover beans with water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 1 hour.
Meanwhile saute a chopped onion in 2tbls olive oil. Drain beans and mix in onion, 1 can of chopped tomatoes, and a package of Simply Organic garden vegetable spaghetti sauce. Follow directions on the package and in minutes you will have a spaghetti sauce.
I am trying to eat a low glycemic diet so I will serve the sauce with quimoa instead of spaghetti with some zuchenni saute on the side.
If you are curious about low glycemic eating look up David Ludwigs' book "Fighting the Food Fight." It is excellent.

Eating this way really helps me save money and be healthy. I estimate the cost per serving for this recipe to be $ 1.45

This is my first blog post for Tracy's Simplicity Blog. I want to share my ideas on simplicity, saving money and having a great life. One of the first things I want to share is how I save money on groceries. Living on a small fixed income groceries are often my biggest expense. I cut my grocery bill in half this month and last month by changing the way I eat. First of all I discovered beans and grains. Then I discovered Organics to you, which is a business that will send you a box of organic vegetables and fruit. I spend $27 for a large box and it is delivered to my front door every other week. It last me easily for two weeks. One of the vegetables in my box were some organic beets. I looked up beet soup on google and made a delicious beet soup.
Here is my modified recipe.

Saute onions, celery and peeled chopped beets ( I had four small ones ) with 2tbs olive oil for about 5 min
Put vegetables into a stock pot and fill half way with water. Add 4 tbs vinegar (any kind) 1 tbs sugar ( any kind ) 1/4 c ketchup and salt and pepper. I also added some beans cooked in tomato sauce. You can add any kind of already cooked or canned beans. I added about a tablespoon of granulated chicken stock. You and use beef or vegetable too. Bring everything to a boil and then cover and simmer for about an hour. You will have a delicious beet soup for dinner or lunch or to snack on. Just a note, beet soup is very red and can stain so be careful about getting it on your clothes. This soup is delicious and is very inexpensive to make. Enjoy!